National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA), founded in 1911, is America’s oldest and largest nonprofit association devoted to excellence in the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford counsel. For over 100 years, NLADA has pioneered access to justice at the national, state and local level through the creation of our public defender system, development of nationally applicable standards for legal representation, groundbreaking legal legislation and the creation of important institutions such as the Legal Services Corporation. NLADA serves as the collective voice for our country’s civil legal aid and public defender services and provides advocacy, training, technical assistance and the NLADA Insurance Program to its members, who are comprised of legal professionals, institutions and the people they represent.

Industry: Non-profit Organizations
Company Size: 11-50 employees

National Legal Aid & Defender Association

Savvy Admin PROD

**Position Description**

Legal Director

PASO – West Suburban Action Project (Proyecto de Acción de los Suburbios del Oeste) is a community-based social justice organization that works to engage community members to address issues that affect them, their families, and neighbors with the mission to build stronger communities where all residents can live dignified lives regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic or immigration status. PASO was founded in March 2009 to fight for immigrant rights in west suburban Cook County and other collar counties, and its mission is to develop the leadership skills of the immigrant community so they can organize, create opportunities, and exercise their collective power.

PASO is based in Melrose Park, Illinois, and primarily serves the western Cook County suburbs. PASO has been well-positioned to serve as a one-stop shop for direct services for new immigrants, refugees, and asylees. PASO helps clients apply for a variety of benefits, provides health education and support, helps clients exercise their rights as tenants, and helps them navigate labor rights and employment issues.

PASO’s Legal Services

As part of an organizational restructure in 2020, PASO’s Legal Services, which had served clients for 5 years, was paused. Given the significant need from immigrant communities in the western suburbs, PASO relaunched its legal services program in 2025 and are looking for a legal director to lead and run PASO’s immigration legal department.

This person will manage 2 full time paralegals, support individual clients, and hold relevant immigration workshops. The staff attorney will manage a wide caseload that may include the following: naturalization & citizenship processing, permanent residency, adjustment of status, consular processing, family petition, re-entry permits, DACA renewals, U Visa and T Visa, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), asylum, removal defense, humanitarian parole, and special immigrant juvenile visas.

The ideal candidate is someone ready to make a daily meaningful impact on our resident’s lives. This person needs to be systems and detail oriented. Most importantly, this person needs to have deep compassion for their clients and cares deeply for how PASO organizes residents to build collective power.

This position is hybrid and based in Melrose Park, Illinois.

Reports to: Executive Director

**Responsibilities**

Legal Department Supervision & Organizational Leadership

Support the DOJ recognition and accreditation process

Work with the paralegals and Executive Director to improve and maintain department operations & systems

**Supervises The Legal Department Staff. This Includes**

Holding weekly check-ins, creating & managing department and staff work plans

Managing the professional growth and development of staff

Supports and participates in core organizational events and activities such as Cafecitos and “all hands” community events and actions (ex. marches)

As part of the core leadership team, this person is fluent in and able to represent PASO’s programs, organizing campaigns and goals accurately and comprehensively

LEGAL SERVICES

Provide legal services and manage a caseload of clients on a range of immigration services including: naturalization & citizenship processing, permanent residency, adjustment of status, consular processing, family petition, re-entry permits, DACA renewals, U Visa and T Visa, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), asylum, removal defense, humanitarian parole, and special immigrant juvenile visas

Review paralegal work products (DOJ accreditation pending)

Draft legal documents such as applications, petitions, appeals, motions and waivers

Conduct legal research and monitor changes in current immigration law and policy

Represent clients in court and before government agencies

Legal Director

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